Stiven Sardarian: From Rus-2003 to the NCAA Spotlight

Inside the journey of a Michigan Tech forward, Buffalo Sabres prospect, and Hobey Baker nominee.

Recently, Stiven Sardarian crossed the 100-point milestone and was named the best forward in the CCHA Division of NCAA hockey. A Buffalo Sabres prospect and standout player for Michigan Tech, Sardarian’s path to success has taken him from youth hockey rinks in Russia to the world's most competitive college leagues.

His story includes early struggles, difficult transitions, and the determination required to prove himself at every step—from youth hockey in Russia to NCAA competition in North America.

Below is a conversation about his journey, mindset, and life both on and off the ice.

The Early Years

Like many future hockey players, Stiven Sardarian’s career began with a simple decision made by his parents.

Q: How did hockey enter your life?

Stiven Sardarian:

My parents were choosing between football and hockey for me. In the end, hockey won. But honestly, my first experience on the ice didn’t go very smoothly.

I remember one of my very first practices. I didn’t even want to go onto the ice—I was literally holding onto the gate and refusing to skate out. At some point, I fell, hurt my finger, and ended up with a bruise and even a small fracture.

But despite that start, I immediately began playing forward and never really tried another position.

Q: Were there athletes in your family growing up?

No, I’m actually the first professional athlete in my family. My family has always been more focused on business rather than sports.

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Moving to Moscow and the Rus-2003 Generation

One of the most important steps in Sardaryan’s development came when he moved to Moscow to play for Rus-2003, a youth team that produced many players who would go on to play professionally.

Q: How did you end up joining Rus-2003?

Stiven:

Interestingly, they didn’t initially invite me. My parents and I simply went there for a tryout to see if I could make the team. It was a big adjustment for me. It was my first time traveling to Moscow, a completely new city, and I didn’t know anyone there.

Q: Was it difficult to break into the team?

Very difficult. At first, I wasn’t even invited to the team’s training camp at the newly opened complex in Sirius. But I decided to go anyway and paid for everything myself. I stayed in a separate room, ate separately, but trained with the team. I just kept working and trying to prove that I deserved to be there.

That month was tough, but it was also very important for me. By the end of the camp, I had proven myself, and they decided to keep me on the team.

Q: That Rus-2003 team produced a lot of players. Why do you think it was so successful?

I’ll make a bold statement, but it’s my opinion: I don’t think any other youth team produced more players than Rus-2003.

Many of the guys from that team are still playing hockey today. Some play at different levels, but even in the VHL, it requires enormous effort and dedication.

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The Next Step: CSKA

After establishing himself in youth hockey, Sardarian took another step forward by joining one of Russia’s most prestigious hockey organizations.

Q: Why did you decide to leave Rus and join CSKA?

I really enjoyed playing for Rus. But at that time, the club didn’t have a team in the MHL, the Russian junior league. So we contacted the CSKA hockey school, and they welcomed me. A lot of it had to do with my previous season—I had played very well. There were also opportunities to go to the United States at that time, but my family and I decided that moving to CSKA was the right step.

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Crossing the Ocean

For many young players, North America represents the ultimate test. Sardarian had always wanted to challenge himself there.

Q: When did you decide to move to North America?

I always wanted to try playing there. Eventually, everything worked out with the university in 2021. I could have gone earlier, but my parents and I decided it would be better for me to improve my English first.

Q: What were your first months like in the United States?

Not easy. I went to Youngstown, Ohio, to play in the USHL, but due to visa delays, I missed several games and wasn’t in the best shape when I arrived. I actually had to wait for my documents in Barcelona. That was during COVID restrictions, and there was only one rink in the city—and it was closed. So I couldn’t train properly or prepare for the season.

Q: Many people imagine college hockey players just playing and studying. What was your reality?

Honestly, my day was scheduled down to the minute. People think I was just playing hockey, but there was much more going on—classes, training, recovery, meetings. Sometimes I didn’t even have time to eat lunch. I spent about five months there before entering the university.

Q: What surprised you about NCAA hockey?

When I arrived at the university, everything was organized immediately. I got my equipment, two custom pairs of skates, sticks—everything I needed. And I’ll say something bold: some university programs are organized better than certain KHL clubs.

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Life Away from the Rink

Despite the demanding schedule of a college hockey player, Sardarian still finds time for small pleasures and personal interests.

Q: What kind of music do you listen to?

I listen to everything—Russian music, American music. It doesn’t really matter who performs it.

Q: Do you have a sweet tooth?

Yes, I do. Russia and the United States are very different when it comes to sweets.

I like chocolate muffins, Milka chocolate with cookies, gummy candies. And I also like pickles.

Q: Do you cook?

Not really. I realized pretty quickly that cooking isn’t really my thing. But I can make something basic if I need to.

Q: What do you miss most from home?

Definitely my mom’s cooking. Whenever I return to Russia, I usually have lunch with her every day—salad, soup, a main dish, and juice. Simple things, but they mean a lot. And I really miss good bread. Especially the Stolichny bread. It’s surprisingly difficult to find good bread in the United States.

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Looking Ahead

With his scoring ability, work ethic, and experience in both Russian and North American systems, Stiven Sardarian represents a new generation of players who bridge two hockey worlds.

From refusing to step onto the ice as a child to becoming a 100-point NCAA star and Buffalo Sabres prospect, his journey reflects persistence, adaptability, and the willingness to bet on himself—even when the odds weren’t in his favor.

For Sardaryan, however, the story is far from finished.

The full interview is available on this website and on all major audio platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Yandex Music.